[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 2032 of the FBI’s RYMUR release.
[The text for this document was released in 2014 by the now-defunct Wikileaks website at https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1979GEORGE01135_e.html. This URL may be available through the Wayback Machine.]
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ACTION L-03
INFO OCT-01 ARA-11 ISO-00 JUSE-00 OCS-06 CA-01 FBIE-00 /022 W
——————079388 180532Z /12
R 151108Z MAR 79
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9185
INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS
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PASS JUSTICE, ATTN JIM HERGEN
CARACAS FOR LEGATT
E.O. 12065: NA
TAGS: EFIN, GY(PEOPLES TEMPLE)
SUBJ: TEMPLE ASSETS IN LITIGATION; EVIDENTIARY REQUESTS
REF: STATE 58518
1. Details of suit filed by eight People’s Temple members for control of Temple assets sent Department on March 7 (Georgetown 1017). Embassy will request copy of writ.
2. Sir Lionel Luckhoo has agreed to act in Guyana for California Receiver (Fabian) who had informed Luckhoo of Hergen visit. Luckhoo interested in consulting with L/ARA Fortune or Mr. Hergen of Justice on next visit.
3. In meeting March 12 w/Formin Ambassador mentioned our knowledge of the existence of additional US Treasury checks in GOG custody and asked orally that they be turned over to the Embassy. Formin said that he would raise the matter with
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GOG legal and police authorities.
4. DCM met with attorney Gillette on March 9 and gave him Fortune memorandum and draft. Gillette agreeable to continuing represent USG notes that he anticipates departing country permanently in four to six weeks. Gillette is to study documents and will then discuss with DCM.
5. Embassy now attempting to collect information requested by FBI and will forward promptly.
Burke [John Burke, American ambassador to Guyana]